Esophagus

Abstract

Most esophageal biopsies are performed on patients with symptoms of reflux or dysphagia and often the goal is to rule out Barrett’s esophagus , a glandular metaplasia that puts the patient at increased risk for adenocarcinoma. Other common findings include reflux changes in the squamous epithelium, ulcers, or infection. Eosinophils are not a normal component of the esophageal epithelium, and the presence of even a single eosinophil should prompt you to look for other features of reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis, secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD ), is a common condition. In the tubular esophagus, the presence of goblet cells, which are bulbous mucinous cells that are indigo-blue on PAS/alcian blue (PAS-AB) stain, and clear-to-pale-blue on H&E, in metaplastic glandular mucosa is known as intestinal metaplasia, or Barrett’s esophagus.